Your startup website is live. But is anyone finding it on Google?
If you're not using Google Search Console, the answer is probably no.
Google Search Console is free. It shows you:
- How Google sees your site
- Which keywords you rank for
- What pages are indexed
- Any errors preventing you from ranking
Every startup needs it. Here's how to set it up in 15 minutes.
What Is Google Search Console?
Google Search Console (GSC) is a free tool from Google that helps you:
- Monitor your site's search performance
- Submit pages for indexing
- Fix indexing issues
- See which queries bring traffic
- Understand your site's health
Think of it as a window into how Google sees your website.
Why Startups Need Search Console
- It's free - No paid tools needed
- Direct from Google - No guessing about what Google thinks
- Find indexing issues - Discover problems before they hurt rankings
- Keyword data - See what people search to find you
- Performance tracking - Monitor progress over time
Step 1: Sign Up for Google Search Console
- Go to search.google.com/search-console
- Click "Start now" or "Add property"
- Enter your website URL
- Choose "URL prefix" (easier for beginners)
You'll need a Google account. If you use Gmail, you're all set.
Step 2: Verify Your Ownership
Google needs to know you own the site. You have several verification methods:
Method 1: HTML File Upload (Most Common)
- Download the verification file Google provides
- Upload it to your website's root directory
- Click "Verify" in Search Console
Method 2: HTML Tag (Easier for Many)
- Copy the meta tag Google provides
- Add it to your website's
<head>section - Click "Verify"
Method 3: Google Analytics (If You Already Use It)
If you have Google Analytics installed, you can verify through that connection.
Method 4: Domain Provider
Some hosting providers (like WordPress, Blogger, Squarespace) connect directly with Search Console.
Step 3: Index Your Key Pages
After verification, make sure Google can find your important pages:
- Go to "URL Inspection" in the left menu
- Enter your homepage URL
- Click "Request Indexing"
For new pages:
- Publish them on your site first
- Wait a few minutes
- Use URL Inspection to request indexing
Google will crawl your site regularly, but requesting indexing speeds up the process.
Step 4: Connect to Google Analytics (Optional but Recommended)
If you use Google Analytics:
- In Search Console, go to Settings
- Click "Associate Services"
- Select your Analytics property
This links your search data with user behavior data for deeper insights.
Step 5: Submit Your Sitemap
A sitemap tells Google about all the pages on your site.
- If you use WordPress: Install an SEO plugin like Yoast or RankMath - they create sitemaps automatically
- Your sitemap URL is usually: yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml or yourdomain.com/sitemap_index.xml
- In Search Console: Go to Sitemaps → Enter your sitemap URL → Click Submit
What if you don't have a sitemap?
- WordPress: Install Yoast SEO plugin (free)
- Squarespace: Built-in sitemap at yoursite.com/sitemap.xml
- Carrd: No sitemap needed for single pages
- Custom: Use a free sitemap generator
Step 6: Understand the Dashboard
Once verified, explore these key sections:
Performance Report
Shows:
- Clicks (people who clicked through)
- Impressions (times your site appeared)
- Average click-through rate (CTR)
- Average position
Use this to see:
- Which keywords bring traffic
- Which pages rank best
- Opportunities to improve CTR
URL Inspection Tool
Enter any URL to see:
- Is it indexed?
- When was it last crawled?
- Any issues found?
Use this to debug specific pages.
Coverage Report
Shows:
- Which pages are indexed
- Errors preventing indexing
- Warnings about potential issues
Fix errors to ensure Google can crawl your site.
Links Report
Shows:
- Internal links (pages linking to other pages)
- External links (sites linking to you)
- Anchor text used in links
Step 7: Set Up Email Notifications
In Search Console settings:
- Click "Settings" in the left menu
- Scroll to "Preferences"
- Enable email notifications
Google will alert you to:
- Indexing errors
- Manual penalties
- Security issues
- Mobile usability problems
Don't miss critical issues!
Common Issues and How to Fix Them
Issue: "Page not indexed (Duplicate)"
Cause: Multiple pages with similar content Fix: Use canonical tags to tell Google which version to index
Issue: "Page not indexed (Not found 404)"
Cause: Page doesn't exist or broken link Fix: Restore the page, or set up a 301 redirect
Issue: "Submitted URL not indexed"
Cause: Google chose not to index Fix: Improve content quality, or the page may be too thin
Issue: "Core Web Vitals report failed"
Cause: Page speed or user experience issues Fix: Improve loading speed, fix mobile usability
Pro Tips for Startups
1. Connect to Google Analytics
In Search Console settings, link to your Analytics property. Get unified data.
2. Set Up Multiple Properties
Add both:
- www.yoursite.com
- yoursite.com
Or add both HTTP and HTTPS versions
3. Check Regularly
Bookmark Search Console. Check weekly for:
- New errors
- Indexing status
- Performance changes
4. Focus on Clicks, Not Just Impressions
High impressions with low clicks means you need better titles and meta descriptions.
5. Use the URL Inspection Tool
Before launching new pages, check if they're indexed. Fix issues immediately.
How to Actually Rank on Google
Search Console shows you the data. But how do you improve?
1. Create Quality Content
Write content that answers real questions your audience has.
2. Optimize Titles and Meta Descriptions
Use compelling titles that encourage clicks. Include target keywords.
3. Build Internal Links
Link from your popular pages to new content.
4. Get Backlinks
Earn links through quality content, partnerships, or PR.
5. Improve Page Speed
Fast sites rank better. Use Google PageSpeed Insights to identify issues.
The Startup SEO Reality
Search Console shows you the opportunity. It doesn't guarantee rankings.
For early-stage startups:
- Focus on a few key pages
- Optimize for specific keywords
- Create content that genuinely helps people
- Be patient (SEO takes months)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long until my site appears in Google?
A: After verification, Google may take days to weeks to fully index your site. Use URL Inspection to check individual pages.
Q: Do I need Search Console if I use paid ads?
A: Yes! Search Console shows organic performance, separate from paid. Different data, different insights.
Q: Can I use Search Console for multiple websites?
A: Yes, add each website as a separate property. Each needs separate verification.
Q: Is Search Console the same as Google Analytics?
A: No. Analytics shows user behavior. Search Console shows search performance. Use both.
The Bottom Line
Google Search Console is free. It takes 15 minutes to set up. It provides irreplaceable data about your search presence.
Every startup should have it set up on day one.
Set it up. Check it weekly. Act on what you learn.
Need Help with SEO or Search Console?
At Startupbricks, we help startups get found on Google. Whether you need:
- Search Console setup and optimization
- SEO strategy development
- Content that ranks
- Technical SEO fixes
Let's talk. We help startups grow through organic search.